Interview: Nathan & Brooke from Mad about Mambo

Mad about Mambo is Melbourne’s number one social dance night focusing exclusively on Salsa, and has been running for over nine years now. To celebrate this unique event, I asked the founders, Nathan Thorneycroft and Brooke Gittings, to tell us a little more about themselves and how MaM came about.

‘Mad about Mambo was an idea sparked to bring together all studios and dancers to enjoy a great space for dancing, along with the incredible music we collected on our travels around the Salsa world. The hope was to bring all the professionals and students together to help grow the passion for good social dancing and great music.’

Anyone who has attended one of these events will know that DJ Nathan spends most of the night on stage providing patrons with some of the freshest salsa beats Melbourne has to offer. With over ten years’ experience as a DJ and extensive travel to festivals and events around the world, Nathan is able to play a unique selection of tracks that will have you excited to step, spin and shine. While the selection is predominantly Salsa, you’ll also have the chance to refine your Bachata and Cha Cha moves if you are so inclined, and if that’s not enough to get you excited there are also guest DJs that make appearances throughout the year.

‘We love Mambo because of the freedom of expression to the music. The music has something in it that makes you want to move. Combining this with the right connection with a partner on the social dance floor makes for something very special and unique every time. The connection to history and the evolution of this style is limitless.’

Melbourne Dance Hub was founded by Nathan, Brooke and their friend, JC Reyes, as a studio welcoming all styles of dance and students at all levels. They created an inclusive community that has transformed and developed over the years but still holds to that core identity of encouragement and freedom of expression. Today, MDH is operated exclusively by Nathan and Brooke and is a boutique coaching experience specialising in Mambo (also known as Salsa On2).

I wondered if that meant Mad about Mambo was only for advanced dancers.

‘Absolutely not. MaM caters to all levels, and while beginners may sometimes feel like everyone around them is more advanced, we all start with the same step. This basic step is the foundation that everyone continually works on, so don’t let yourself be intimidated. We were all beginners once so no judgements are passed. Beginner dancers are the foundation that allow us to keep dancing in the future.

‘If you are keen to learn just start, and stick to it. It’s a great challenge for the body and mind and we all continue to be challenged. Just get out there and have fun.’

With so many incredible dancers enjoying the MaM space, it’s hard not to be inspired. Speaking about their own inspirations, Nathan said, ‘I’ve always looked up to Oscar Perrones and the Yamulee team, Tomas Guerrero and Santo Rico, Fernando Sosa and Tropical Gem, Jamie Jesus, Oliver Pineda.’ Brooke added, ‘There are so many greats out there it’s hard to narrow it down. Every time you find a favourite you discover someone new.

‘With social media you get the chance to see so many inspirational dancers around the world like never before. When we were learning in the scene we had to travel to see these people live and attend congresses to learn from them which gave us the opportunity to attend some amazing socials. This was also an inspiration for MaM.

‘There are some specific people that have helped us directly on our journey; great coaches like Anya Katesevman, Mariano Neris, Bella Malekian, Billy Farjado, Melanie Castillo and Karel Flores, just to name a few. Of course Australia is also packed with fantastic dancers and instructors, and every professional female dancer in Melbourne at the moment is an inspiration to me.’

Mad about Mambo is also a fantastic platform for both professional and amateur dancers to test out their routines on an enthusiastic audience. Most of the monthly events will include a performance, particularly in the lead up to the various festivals throughout the year. Performances are included in the entry fee, and are a fun intermission for you to catch your breath before getting back on the dance floor.

With over thirty years of teaching experience between them, and plenty of competitions under their belts, Nathan and Brooke remain humble instructors driven simply by their united passion for dance.

‘Eddie Torres once said something along the lines of, “It’s not about who wins the most trophies, it’s about who can have the most fun!” We love this because whilst competitions drive us to improve and set goals, the best fun you have is on that social dance floor.

‘Melbourne’s dance scene is ever-changing. We are very proud of our involvement in the development of Melbourne dancers now forging their own paths in the community and hope this community continues to grow. We love hosting these events and encourage dancers of all levels to come along, learn some new moves and, most of all, have a whole lot of fun.’

Mad about Mambo happens the first Friday of every month at Sokol, North Melbourne. The next event will be May 3rd, 2019. Entry is $17 and includes class at 8pm, with social dancing from 9pm til Midnight.